Evolving CPE: From Compliance to Collaboration

“I was stressed out, cranky, grouchy, and missing family events. That was the catalyst for me to figure out how to get Excel to do all the things I was doing manually.” – Jeff Lenning 

The finer details of this episode:

• Importance of Excel skills for young accounting professionals
• Gaps in Excel training within college education for accounting students
• Personal experiences of speakers regarding Excel proficiency and training
• Implementation of Excel training programs in organizations
• The versatility of Excel in both professional and personal projects
• Structure and content of comprehensive Excel training courses
• The impact of outdated methods in accounting practices
• The evolving role of technology and AI tools in accounting, including Excel

Episode resources:

• Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
• Email us with questions or if you’d like to be a guest on the show: youngcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• We’re hiring! Check out our open positions: https://www.summitcpa.net/career-opportunities
• Connect with Jeff here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflenning/
• Check out Excel University here: https://www.excel-university.com/

Timestamps:

Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:00)

The hosts welcome listeners to "The Young CPA Success Show" and introduce the topic of Excel skills.

Excel in Early Careers (00:00:22)

Discussion on how college education often leaves graduates unprepared for Excel demands in accounting.

Feedback from Employers (00:00:54)

Employers express concerns about the Excel skills of recent graduates and the need for better training.

Excel Training at Summit Virtual CFO (00:01:59)

Insights into how Summit Virtual CFO addresses Excel skill gaps through dedicated training resources.

Course Structure for Excel Training (00:03:19)

An overview of the comprehensive six-course Excel training designed to prepare accounting professionals.

Genesis of Excel Skills in Auditing (00:04:43)

The importance of organizing data in audits and its relation to Excel skills developed during careers.

Challenges of Legacy Workbooks (00:05:36)

Discussion on the inefficiencies of using outdated Excel workbooks and the need for improvement.

Importance of Continuous Improvement (00:06:48)

The necessity of enhancing workbooks to reduce time spent on monthly closes and improve efficiency.

Excel's Longevity in Business (00:09:57)

Exploration of why Excel remains a dominant tool in business despite advancements in technology.

Excel's Versatility Beyond Accounting (00:12:48)

Personal anecdotes on using Excel for non-business projects, showcasing its broad applicability.

Half-Marathon Training in Excel (00:14:00)

Discussion on planning personal projects like training schedules and vacations using Excel.

First Half-Marathon Experience (00:15:24)

Speaker shares their experience of completing their first half-marathon and the challenges faced.

Maintaining Training Structure (00:16:13)

Importance of having structured training plans to stay motivated and consistent in exercise routines.

Here are the extracted timestamps and their titles in chronological order:

Running Routine and Energy Boost (00:17:48)

Discussion on morning runs and their impact on daily energy levels.

Exercise and Career Structure (00:19:10)

Connecting running routines to creating structure in professional engagements.

Discipline and Goal Setting (00:20:16)

The importance of discipline, planning, and setting goals in both running and career.

Value of Preparation Over the Race (00:20:21)

Emphasizing that the real value lies in preparation, not just completing the race.

Community Support in Races (00:22:50)

Highlighting the joy and community support experienced during marathons.

Excel University Overview (00:23:59)

Introduction to Excel University and its development over the past 12 years.

CPE Credits and Practical Skills (00:26:10)

Importance of practical skills in CPE courses for CPAs.

Evolution of CPE Training (00:27:37)

Discussion on the shift from traditional CPE classes to modern, interactive formats.

Course Structure and Support (00:28:35)

Overview of the blended learning approach in Excel courses, combining videos and live support.

Future of Excel with AI Integration (00:32:47)

Predictions on how Excel will evolve with AI technologies and user support features.

Microsoft Copilot Introduction (00:34:23)

Exploration of Microsoft Copilot as a native AI tool enhancing user experience in Excel.

Running and Music Preferences (00:35:59)

Discussion about music and nature during running, highlighting personal preferences.

Engaging the Mind While Running (00:37:05)

Speakers talk about using running time to think and develop ideas.

Favorite Podcasts (00:39:13)

Introduction of the "All In" podcast as a new favorite for engaging discussions.

Excel University Resources (00:40:26)

Information about Excel University courses and a free CPE course for CPAs.